Johnny Z
@johnnyzawacki.bsky.social
This will be the basis of the tray art, for my Making Contact album. It will be released on my birthday, 11/15/2025. Although we musical artists appreciate streaming, real support comes from the physical sale of our songs.
Spotify has sent me a breakdown of what my songs have done on their platform. 26,000 streams is quite remarkable (for me). Royalty-wise I've had about $60 come in to me from all platforms, not only Spotify. I guess I'll celebrate with Aldi's $4.95 sparkling wine, rather than Dom Pérignon.
December 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Spotify has sent me a breakdown of what my songs have done on their platform. 26,000 streams is quite remarkable (for me). Royalty-wise I've had about $60 come in to me from all platforms, not only Spotify. I guess I'll celebrate with Aldi's $4.95 sparkling wine, rather than Dom Pérignon.
Here I talk about the writing of the song, "Iliki", which is on the Making Contact album. youtu.be/bzHSxHqfcbA
"Iliki" (the writing of a song)
YouTube video by Johnny Zawacki
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Here I talk about the writing of the song, "Iliki", which is on the Making Contact album. youtu.be/bzHSxHqfcbA
Today, would have been Kevin Beamish's 69th birthday. Before he died, we were working on an album of his songs, which I completed and released for him, posthumously. Happy Birthday, my friend!
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-ro...
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-ro...
The Road to Water, by Kevin Beamish
7 track album
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Today, would have been Kevin Beamish's 69th birthday. Before he died, we were working on an album of his songs, which I completed and released for him, posthumously. Happy Birthday, my friend!
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-ro...
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-ro...
The latest case brought before SCOTUS is once again showing us that the conservatives fully endorse anointing trump as an authoritarian dictator. My song and video, "Before the End", continues to be relevant.
youtu.be/RkU2992_HcI?...
youtu.be/RkU2992_HcI?...
"Before the End" by Johnny Z (official music video)
YouTube video by Johnny Zawacki
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The latest case brought before SCOTUS is once again showing us that the conservatives fully endorse anointing trump as an authoritarian dictator. My song and video, "Before the End", continues to be relevant.
youtu.be/RkU2992_HcI?...
youtu.be/RkU2992_HcI?...
"The Bridge of Sighs" has developed its own traction and has been getting streaming plays. Initially, I was going to position this song first, on Making Contact, but tucked it a few songs in. Maybe I was onto something. What do you think?
YouTube Music:
music.youtube.com/watch?v=KOua...
YouTube Music:
music.youtube.com/watch?v=KOua...
The Bridge of Sighs by Johnny Z on Apple Music
Song · 2025 · Duration 4:11
music.apple.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
"The Bridge of Sighs" has developed its own traction and has been getting streaming plays. Initially, I was going to position this song first, on Making Contact, but tucked it a few songs in. Maybe I was onto something. What do you think?
YouTube Music:
music.youtube.com/watch?v=KOua...
YouTube Music:
music.youtube.com/watch?v=KOua...
If you've found you liked the songs, from Mind the Gap, and would like a physical copy, I've a few that I can put in your hands. The Shiawassee Arts Center, in Owosso MI, also has some, or you could order from the manufacturer and they'll send it to your doorstep!
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
kunaki.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
If you've found you liked the songs, from Mind the Gap, and would like a physical copy, I've a few that I can put in your hands. The Shiawassee Arts Center, in Owosso MI, also has some, or you could order from the manufacturer and they'll send it to your doorstep!
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
"Blue Drink", written for Kimberly, was my most recent song to make the Spotify (pay) grade, so it's somewhat poetic that "Good Night, Sweet Dreams" would be the next. This one is a lullaby, for Sarah, and it has one of the best chord progressions I've ever written.
open.spotify.com/track/50AxTH...
open.spotify.com/track/50AxTH...
Good Night, Sweet Dreams
open.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
"Blue Drink", written for Kimberly, was my most recent song to make the Spotify (pay) grade, so it's somewhat poetic that "Good Night, Sweet Dreams" would be the next. This one is a lullaby, for Sarah, and it has one of the best chord progressions I've ever written.
open.spotify.com/track/50AxTH...
open.spotify.com/track/50AxTH...
Just got back from a Christmas shopping walk and I visited the SAC. Guess what? They have my 7 CDs available for sale there, along with a plethora of other gift ideas!
December 4, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Just got back from a Christmas shopping walk and I visited the SAC. Guess what? They have my 7 CDs available for sale there, along with a plethora of other gift ideas!
I've not seriously considered instrumental music as a place I'd venture as a solo artist. That is, not until 'Just Desserts (Instrumental Version)'. This has just been added to another Spotify playlist. Maybe there's something to this too long ignored genre!
open.spotify.com/playlist/7hn...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7hn...
✨ Purely Instrumental ✨
open.spotify.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I've not seriously considered instrumental music as a place I'd venture as a solo artist. That is, not until 'Just Desserts (Instrumental Version)'. This has just been added to another Spotify playlist. Maybe there's something to this too long ignored genre!
open.spotify.com/playlist/7hn...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7hn...
"Packin' for the Highway", a song I wrote with friends, Bryan MacMillan and Tim Fuller, and included on Making Contact has been added to this playlist. Begun in 1976, then revised in 1979 and 2024, it's finally reached its final form.
open.spotify.com/playlist/6xy...
open.spotify.com/playlist/6xy...
A Little Bit Of Everything
open.spotify.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
"Packin' for the Highway", a song I wrote with friends, Bryan MacMillan and Tim Fuller, and included on Making Contact has been added to this playlist. Begun in 1976, then revised in 1979 and 2024, it's finally reached its final form.
open.spotify.com/playlist/6xy...
open.spotify.com/playlist/6xy...
It's Small Business Saturday. And just in time for the holidays, I've released Making Contact and the SAC has graciously placed it among their plethora of artists offerings. A stroll through their beautiful facility is an uplifting experience is a reward in itself.
shiawasseearts.org/about-us/
shiawasseearts.org/about-us/
About Us - Shiawassee Arts Center
shiawasseearts.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
It's Small Business Saturday. And just in time for the holidays, I've released Making Contact and the SAC has graciously placed it among their plethora of artists offerings. A stroll through their beautiful facility is an uplifting experience is a reward in itself.
shiawasseearts.org/about-us/
shiawasseearts.org/about-us/
Thanksgiving is upon us and though I don't have a song specifically referencing it, I do have one that mentions autumn. The words are those of an Irish poet born in 1861. I simply set them to music. Happy Thanksgiving!
music.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvcT...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvcT...
A Tramp Through the Woods
YouTube video by Johnny Z - Topic
music.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Thanksgiving is upon us and though I don't have a song specifically referencing it, I do have one that mentions autumn. The words are those of an Irish poet born in 1861. I simply set them to music. Happy Thanksgiving!
music.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvcT...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvcT...
I'll bring to you just one more song that three of us collaborated on. I had "Could It Be I'm In Love with You?" virtually completed, but I thought together we could bring a little something extra to it. In my basement, in Ann Arbor, the three of us did just that.
music.youtube.com/watch?v=WjAf...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=WjAf...
Could It Be I'm in Love with You?
YouTube video by Johnny Z - Topic
music.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I'll bring to you just one more song that three of us collaborated on. I had "Could It Be I'm In Love with You?" virtually completed, but I thought together we could bring a little something extra to it. In my basement, in Ann Arbor, the three of us did just that.
music.youtube.com/watch?v=WjAf...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=WjAf...
I didn't have The Beatles as a 'backing' band when I wrote and released my song, "You Know What to Do", but I think it turned out pretty good!
My song is this link . . .
open.spotify.com/track/7xDrgT...
Here's a snippet of George's tune . . .
www.facebook.com/share/r/1BZe...
My song is this link . . .
open.spotify.com/track/7xDrgT...
Here's a snippet of George's tune . . .
www.facebook.com/share/r/1BZe...
You Know What to Do
open.spotify.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I didn't have The Beatles as a 'backing' band when I wrote and released my song, "You Know What to Do", but I think it turned out pretty good!
My song is this link . . .
open.spotify.com/track/7xDrgT...
Here's a snippet of George's tune . . .
www.facebook.com/share/r/1BZe...
My song is this link . . .
open.spotify.com/track/7xDrgT...
Here's a snippet of George's tune . . .
www.facebook.com/share/r/1BZe...
Sorry, putin and trump, I support Ukraine! music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Ukraine National Anthem (English Version) - Album by Johnny Z
Listen to Ukraine National Anthem (English Version) by Johnny Z on YouTube Music - a dedicated music app with official songs, music videos, remixes, covers, and more.
music.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Sorry, putin and trump, I support Ukraine! music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
This should help push "The Bridge of Sighs" toward the ultimate goal, which has been included in this Spotify playlist.
open.spotify.com/playlist/1xF...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1xF...
Sally Loves Indie
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
This should help push "The Bridge of Sighs" toward the ultimate goal, which has been included in this Spotify playlist.
open.spotify.com/playlist/1xF...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1xF...
My Spotify Artist account emailed this info to me, today. It doesn't include streams on Apple Music, YouTube, etc (I'm hoping there are some over there!). I'll receive no money from this unless there are a 1,000 streams of each song, though it's nice to know people are listening.
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
My Spotify Artist account emailed this info to me, today. It doesn't include streams on Apple Music, YouTube, etc (I'm hoping there are some over there!). I'll receive no money from this unless there are a 1,000 streams of each song, though it's nice to know people are listening.
I fairly regularly watch/listen to Rick Beato & this video was forward to me by one of my former bandmates. Rick touches upon something that's quite intrinsic to how we consume music. Has it become valueless, or at the very least so much of it falling upon deaf ears?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZ0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZ0...
The Real Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse
YouTube video by Rick Beato
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I fairly regularly watch/listen to Rick Beato & this video was forward to me by one of my former bandmates. Rick touches upon something that's quite intrinsic to how we consume music. Has it become valueless, or at the very least so much of it falling upon deaf ears?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZ0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZ0...
Another song of mine has superseded the arbitrary threshold that Spotify has set of us independent artists to make money of our work. "Blue Drink" is less than a minute in duration in the spirit of The Beatles' "Her Majesty". Listen for yourself!!!
open.spotify.com/track/3c7FRO...
open.spotify.com/track/3c7FRO...
Blue Drink
open.spotify.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Another song of mine has superseded the arbitrary threshold that Spotify has set of us independent artists to make money of our work. "Blue Drink" is less than a minute in duration in the spirit of The Beatles' "Her Majesty". Listen for yourself!!!
open.spotify.com/track/3c7FRO...
open.spotify.com/track/3c7FRO...
This is so cool. Another song from my latest album, Making Contact, has been added to a Spotify playlist! Check out "Packing for the Highway" here!
open.spotify.com/playlist/5DO...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5DO...
On the right track 🎶🎶
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:12 PM
This is so cool. Another song from my latest album, Making Contact, has been added to a Spotify playlist! Check out "Packing for the Highway" here!
open.spotify.com/playlist/5DO...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5DO...
The first song from the Making Contact album/CD, "Just Desserts (Instrumental Version)" has just been added to a Spotify playlist. It's my first foray into instrumental music, since my Loggerhead days and I'm very gratified to learn that someone appreciates my work!
open.spotify.com/playlist/1y5...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1y5...
Instrumental
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The first song from the Making Contact album/CD, "Just Desserts (Instrumental Version)" has just been added to a Spotify playlist. It's my first foray into instrumental music, since my Loggerhead days and I'm very gratified to learn that someone appreciates my work!
open.spotify.com/playlist/1y5...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1y5...
At the moment, I have no retail outlets offering the physical CD, of Making Contact. For a limited time, the manufacturer will offer it on a manufacture and ship to your doorstep per order. I do have a few on hand, if we happen to cross paths. Thanks for your support!
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
kunaki.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
At the moment, I have no retail outlets offering the physical CD, of Making Contact. For a limited time, the manufacturer will offer it on a manufacture and ship to your doorstep per order. I do have a few on hand, if we happen to cross paths. Thanks for your support!
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
kunaki.com/sales.asp?PI...
My latest sing, "Just Desserts", was just added to this playlist. It's so nice to have listeners!
open.spotify.com/playlist/7jB...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7jB...
Up and Comers
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:34 PM
My latest sing, "Just Desserts", was just added to this playlist. It's so nice to have listeners!
open.spotify.com/playlist/7jB...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7jB...
I'll have just a few on hand of the Making Contact CDs available for sale, or you can order them directly from the manufacturer and have them shipped to your door. Here's that link . . .
https://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00DHXG8A&pp=1
https://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00DHXG8A&pp=1
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I'll have just a few on hand of the Making Contact CDs available for sale, or you can order them directly from the manufacturer and have them shipped to your door. Here's that link . . .
https://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00DHXG8A&pp=1
https://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00DHXG8A&pp=1
The long promised Making Contact album is now available. If, for any reason, you don't subscribe to any of the usual streaming services, I also have it here . . .
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/making...
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/making...
Making Contact, by Johnny Z
10 track album
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The long promised Making Contact album is now available. If, for any reason, you don't subscribe to any of the usual streaming services, I also have it here . . .
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/making...
spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/making...